Todd Desmond

Beech Creek

Beginning in 2024, the PA Fish and Boat Commission made the decision to not stock a popular stream in Clinton County. Baker Run has been stocked with trout for over 50 years. Families have met annually on the first day of trout season to enjoy this great fishery.

My family has enjoyed this stream for many years. I began fishing Baker with my grandfather and father when I was young. My children have helped stock and fished this stream. My brother’s grandchildren have had success fishing Baker Run.

The PA Fish and Boat Commission has determined that Baker Run is a Class A wild trout stream and needs to be protected from stock trout. How is it that Baker Run has been stocked for over 50 years and it is still a Class A steam? Stocking the stream has apparently not had a negative effect on this fishery.

Clinton County is blessed with cold-water mountain streams. All or most could and will qualify as Class A streams. There are many streams that hundreds of fishermen have enjoyed that are no longer stocked. Long Run, the Narrows on Fishing Creek, a large section of Young Womens Creek, Hammersley Fork and parts of Hyner Run are a few examples of our streams that are no longer stocked.

Which streams will be next? The Left Hand Branch and Main Branch of Young Womens Creek certainly would classify as Class A streams. So what is the goal? It would appear the goal is to stop stocking trout in Clinton County. Take a drive past any of these previously stocked and heavily fished streams and see for yourself how few fishermen are enjoying the streams. Are the majority of people buying a trout stamp stock trout fisherman?

The PA Fish and Boat Commission afforded the public 28 hours to make public comment concerning Baker Run not being stocked. They claim they received 122 comments ALL SUPPORTING not stocking Baker Run. Did you know about the opportunity to make a public comment? Did you know where to find the information on public comments? I would be most interested in knowing how many of the 122 comments came from members of a special interest group. How many of the 122 have ever been to Baker Run?

We cannot sit idly by while these irrational decisions slowly eat away at our long-time traditions.

Our family will not be fishing on the first day this year. We have decided to get together and reminisce about the good old days.